(pages 368)
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. Lara Jean has loved five boys in her life. Once she has decided to move on, she pours her heart out into a goodbye love letter and never looks back. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only but one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.
My reviews-
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before started off a little slow for me. I knew the premise. I knew to expect romance. So early on, I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen. It never did but then it all clicked at once. What was truly great about To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before was the pacing. The events take place right before school starts into Christmas break, and it felt like it. Sometimes it felt like I was getting just day to day stuff happening, sometimes bigger things occurred, but nothing felt rushed. Overall it is a must-read book.
2- The Fault in our stars by John Green.(pages 313)
Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, attends a cancer patient support group at her mother's behest. At one meeting, Hazel meets a 17-year-old boy currently in remission named Augustus Waters, whose cancer caused him to lose his right leg. Hazel gets attracted to him and goes to his house to watch a movie. Hazel and Augustus strike a bond immediately and agree to read each other's favorite novels. Augustus gives Hazel The Price of Dawn, and Hazel recommends An Imperial Affliction, a novel written by Peter Van Houten, who lives in Amsterdam, about a cancer-stricken girl that parallels Hazel's own experience. After Augustus finishes reading her book, he is frustrated upon learning that the novel ends abruptly without a conclusion. The novel ends in the middle of a sentence, which means she either died or became too sick to continue telling the story. Augustus contacts Peter Van Houten and surprises Hazel with tickets to Amsterdam to meet Van Houten. While on the plane to Amsterdam, Augustus confesses his love for Hazel to which she didn't respond.
Hazel and Augustus finally meet Van Houten but are shocked to find that he is a mean-spirited drunk. Horrified by Van Houten's behavior who proceeds to insult Hazel's cancer starting an argument and causing Hazel and Augustus to flee from his home. Then, they go to the Anne Frank House, where Augustus and Hazel share their first kiss. Later that night they have sex in Augustus's hotel room, the first time for both of them. During their intimacy, Hazel tells Augustus she loves him. Augustus confesses to Hazel that his cancer has returned. The two affirm their love and support for one another. After their return, Augustus health worsens and he ends up in ICU for a few days. Augustus dies soon after, leaving Hazel heartbroken. Van Houten shows up at Augustus's funeral to apologize to Hazel, but Hazel does not forgive him.
Van Houten shows him the print Augustus has sent him before his death stating that getting hurt in this world is inevitable, but we do get to choose whom we allow to hurt us and that he is happy with his choice, and hopes she likes hers too. The book closes with Hazel stating that she is happy with her choice.
My reviews-
The fault in our stars is one of the best novels I've ever read. Full of romance, emotions, and love. The overall pace of the novel was good, all things happen at a perfect time. If you like feel-good, escapist novels, this one's not for you. The Fault in Our Stars is one of the most unpretentious tragic love stories told in a heart-warming manner.
(pages 384)
The Sun is Also a Star is a young adult romance novel which revolves around the questions of God, love, and fate. As Jamaican-American Natasha meets and falls in love with this Korean-American Daniel on the day when she was being deported back to Jamaica by a DUI her father received after he told the police that he and his family were living in America illegally. When the novel begins, seventeen-year-old Natasha leaves her family’s apartment to try to find a way to prevent their deportation. Natasha heads to U.S. Customs and Immigration Services to see what can be done about her family’s situation but is held up by Irene, a lonely security guard who is set to commit suicide that day. At the same time, 17-year-old Daniel heads out to get his hair cut and on his way, the subway conductor, who has found God, urges his passengers to find god. Daniel decides he will look for signs of God, and therein discovers Natasha. She has a shoulder tattoo that reads DEUS EX MACHINA (God from the machine) Daniel takes this as a sign and begins speaking with her. They immediately hit it off, though Natasha has other things in mind. They are attracted to each other but they are very different. Natasha is reliant on reason, science, and logic while Daniel is faithful, creative, and passionate. As the day unfolds, the two spend every moment possible together. They learn more about one another and begin to change each other’s lives for the better. For example, Daniel considers he does not have to do what his parents want him to do, while Natasha wants to find passion in her life as Daniel has. While Daniel considers their meeting an act of God, Natasha does not believe in God–though she desperately wants to believe in things like love. As the day wears on, she and Daniel realize they have fallen in love with each other. In the end, Natasha and her family must board a plane to return to Jamaica. Daniel and Natasha try to stay in touch and promise to pursue their romance, but time and distance cause them to fall apart. Ten years pass. Irene, who did not commit suicide thanks to Natasha’s thank-you message, sees Natasha on a plane where Irene now works as a flight attendant. Irene thanks Natasha for the message all those years before. Natasha introduces herself, which catches the attention of Daniel, who is unknowingly sitting a few seats away. Natasha and Daniel recognize one another instantly.
My reviews-
The Sun is also a star is beautifully written with unforgettable romance. This book is full of hope, heartbreak, and fate. The story of two teens with different beliefs and perspective falls in love with each other during 12 intense hours in New York City. Within the first 20 pages of THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR, I knew I was reading something special, and within the first 50, I knew this was going to be one of my favorite books.
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